Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Sunday, Scary Sunday


So some of you may have noticed my total absence the last two days. And not just from here, but from Facebook and anywhere else. We've had a wee emergency... or not wee. In fact it what pretty darned scary.

source
HWMNBMOTI (he who must not be mentioned on the internet, for the uninitiated) had what seemed like the flu Saturday... except in retrospect the vomit was the wrong color (TMI, right? But read anyway, as I had NO CLUE how important this might be)--it was coffee colored and mucousy. When his DIET had NOT been. (that is the clue to remember--coffee colored).

Then he seemed flu-ee all day—fever, sweats, chills... He vomited... I guess 3 more times... only once more in a place I had to clean it up... yup... still coffee colored... as was the bowel stuff—black and tarry. (as in... like tar). Ick.

And then on Sunday morning.... okay, we get to the real TMI part... with a 5 am bowel movement he could no longer stand—nearly lost consciousness... Called for me, I called the ambulance, as he couldn't get up...

We spent all Sunday morning in the ER... he was bleeding SOMEWHERE in his digestive system... A LOT (this would be the CAUSE of coffee-colored vomit and/or black tarry stool--so you KNOW.... They estimated he lost 1/3 of his blood--through this GI bleed. But FINDING FROM WHERE is another matter. They flushed fluids in then out of the stomach (through a tube in the nose *shivers*) and can see what is there... initially it was the black flaky of dried blood but by the time they get him all poked and prodded and moved up to critical care it was red... so the bleed was either stomach or upper GI...

They did a scope and FOUND it (upper intestine near the duodenum)--a clot they thought was over an aspirin induced ulcer—they clipped the clot (twice) to stop the places it was leaking blood. But they WEREN'T sure that was the only internal injury—though his numbers have all stabilized.

They moved him from critical care to a regular hospital room yesterday, but will keep him at least another day.

So my apologies for not getting around like I should yesterday and Sunday—I will try to catch up. And apologies for my absence. But as you all know, sometimes life takes over.

HWMNBMOTI has a VERY good prognosis, though I am a little nervous as to whether they resolved it... it's highly likely the next few flu episodes will send us to urgent care, just to avoid this.

Anyway, that's where I've been and why I've been scarce. I will work hard to catch up, as tomorrow I have a special guest (February Grace) and want her to get the full attention she deserves.

So there you have it... my excuses, regrets, and pleas to not hold it against me or my guests. I will get back to normal (for me) shortly.

29 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

Oh my God, that IS scary. Sending best wishes that he makes a speedy recovery!

Ciara said...

Oh my goodness. That is SO scary. I'm so sorry you guys went through that. I pray he has a speedy recovery and doesn't get the flu for many years.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hart, that is more than just a wee emergency! Thank God he is recovering. Praying they found the problem.

Lisa said...

Ditto to Kyra's comment. I hope he heals well and fully. Thanks for sharing and don't worry about your blog. HWMNBMOTI must come first!

Tonja said...

Eeeek. At least it wasn't his colon. That would be worse. Take care of both of you.

vic caswell said...

holy cow!!! thank GOODNESS he's alright!!! oh MAN! just thank goodness...

Hart Johnson said...

Thank you so much for the prayers and well wishes, friends! It all helps!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

OMgosh! You are a hero. Such scary stuff. Sending positive vibes for a speedy recovery!!

Not Hannah said...

Bless your sweet heart, my friend. Sending love and healing vibes your way.

Hissy_Fitts said...

Oh my goodness! Don't apologize ...I'm grateful that things are looking up and he's on the mend. This is not a wee problem and I'm thankful they were able to find and repair the bleeds. GI bleeds can be especially nasty.
Take the time you need, for him, your children, and yourself. You should know by now that we will all still be here...waiting with bated breath for your next installment.
My thoughts and prayers are with ya'll!
Cherylyn

VR Barkowski said...

Holy moly, Hart! So sorry you and HWMNBNOTI had to go through that. Terrifying. Sending healing thoughts for fast and full recovery.

LTM said...

OMG, TH! I can't believe this happened--how scary! Especially all the TMI parts! It is TMI, but it's scary scary!!! I'm so glad his prognoses is good. Prayers for you guys! ((*hugs)) <3

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Oh my God, how frightening! After what my mother went through with a tear in her intestines, I know that's really serious. Glad your husband will be okay.

Cherie Reich said...

Aww! *hugs* That is really scary. I hope everything is going well now!

Old Kitty said...

OH noes!! This is totally NOT NAKED!
:-( How awful for all of you and what a fright! So glad HNBXOTUZOENW is ok!
Oh let me call him Mr Tart, please!
:-)

Oh but seriously!! Big healing hugs to Mr Tart!!!!

Take care
x

February Grace said...

Oh my GOD woman, forget me, your 'little scare' as you put it in email was WAY worse than I knew! GRACIOUS! So glad he had good care and they found it, so sorry he had to go through all that, am sending all good hopes for him and you that this is the end and only healing is ahead and he's back on his feet very soon! *HUGE HUGS!!!*

xoxo
bru

Sarah Allen said...

Oh gosh...thoughts and prayers going out to you guys. That is terrifying! Here's to a speedy recovery, and it's good to know what the signs are.

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

Anne Gallagher said...

Wow, that is scary. I hope everything's okay and the docs got it all. Prayers to you.

Ted Cross said...

Stop apologizing; this is far more important than the whole blogosphere put together. Take care of him.

Tracy said...

Goodness Hart, I am so sorry. I am certain this is beyond scary! My thoughts and prayers are with you...take good care and do what it is you need to do!

Jan Morrison said...

Jayzus Tartlette - I haven't been around cuz my modem went flooey and I didn't even apologize! A little scare??? No! An actual real-live emergency. So glad he's stabilyzing and I will meditate for his well-being and yours too. It seems I can't quite spell correctly today. Later. All love to you and yours.

Marjorie said...

Wow, What a scare! I had quite a scare on Thursday of last week. My niece had a severe prolonged seizure. We thought she had ingested something BUT her toxicology reports all came back negative and she was on a ventilator for a full day and was hospitalized for two whole days. Looks like we both could have lost someone we loved lately had it not been for the advances in medicine. Hope HWMNBMOTI makes a full recovery very soon.

erica and christy said...

The only thing about this blog post that upset me is the fact that you're apologizing. DON'T! Life hits us hard and that story was very scary and it sounds like your whole family needs some time - so take it! Wishing you all the best.
erica

Helena said...

Oh Lord, Hart, why are you apologizing? What a terrible emergency that was, but I'm so glad the docs found the tear and HWMNBMOTI is on the mend. I'm thinking of you both and trying to send you lots of loving energy.

Sarah Ahiers said...

Yeah i knew about the vomit color and black, tarry stool, but jesus! It totally freaks me out that he more or less just started bleeing internally on a whim. I had no idea that could happen

JCS said...

Of course you didn't blog! Life really took over and you had to be there for your husband! I am so thankful that he's going to be okay and I'm sure Joel is thrilled to have him back home. I know HWMNBMOTI probably misses Joel too!
If you need food, company, whatever, just call me :) Sending love your way!

Miriam Forster said...

Oh no! I can't imagine how terrifying that would be. I'm glad he's recovering and I'll keep you both in my thoughts. *hugs*

Miriam Forster said...

Oh no! I can't imagine how terrifying that would be. I'm glad he's recovering and I'll keep you both in my thoughts. *hugs*

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Oh, Hart, I am so sorry that I somehow missed all of this! I am so glad that he is doing better and gets to come home today. How very, very frightening. I am glad that you put in the details, so that others will know about the seriousness of the warning signs of internal bleeding. Praying for you guys!

Kathy M.